Healthy Interactions

Today's posting is focused on our interactions with others and how they lead or don't lead to health, wellness and wholeness (HW2). Think back to the last time that you interacted with another human. Was the interaction positive (i.e., did it give life) or was it negative or neutral? Where were your head and heart as you had that interaction? Were you fully present to the person, or were you already on to the next thing that you needed to say or to do?

Our body language gives at least 50% to our verbal interactions; in fact, there are some who suggest that body language determines the outcome of the interaction before the first word is spoken. People can tell when you're not fully with them - consider your last interaction, was the person there for you? Now consider your last interaction with a health care professional (physician, PA, NP, pharmacist, whoever). Did that person really listen to what you had to say? Did they appear hurried, distracted, frustrated - or did they nod, lean forward, engage in reflective listening? It makes a difference to how you feel and to whether you are going to "buy in" to what is being said, doesn't it?!

Our healthcare systems model our other human systems. Everything appears to be on overload at this point. It is only a matter of time until a "Gulf Oil Spill" occurs in our lives and our systems. Something will break deep down inside of them or us, and there won't be the people and technology around to cap off the leak that ensues. Also, there won't be an understanding of how to "fix" the leak, as there won't be an understanding of us, or a true understanding of how the system is supposed to work. Why not? The answer is because we don't "know" the systems as we don't know ourselves. How can we get to a different place...prevention of the leak comes through reflectively listening and unconditional love and acceptance - creation of true community.

We need to hear the brokenness in each of us that contributes to the brokenness of the systems. In order to do this, we must encounter a loving presence that will allow us to get in touch with that in each of us that needs healing. We need to heal our individual selves in order to see what needs healing between us and around us. Loving our neighbors as ourselves can only happen after we first experience unconditional love and acceptance. Only this will lead to healing and healthy interactions.

Peace and an end to all wars, just and unjust.

Dan